Northern Illinois' groundbreaking season will be hard to top

Northern Illinois takes the field against Florida State in the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. (Chris Sweda/Tribune Photo)

After a 12-2 season that included Northern Illinois' second straight Mid-American Conference championship and an Orange Bowl appearance, the Huskies will face high expectations as a potential Top 25 team next fall.

The Huskies open the 2013 season Aug. 31 at Iowa. They also will have nonconference road games at Purdue and Idaho.

The most encouraging news is that quarterback and conference MVP Jordan Lynch returns for his senior year. The entire starting offensive line that paved the way for 38.6 points a game returns as well.

"Losing Logan (Pegram) going into the year was a blow, and losing Tyler (Loos) in that Toledo game was a really big blow because he was playing as well as any tackle in the conference," coach Rod Carey said. "But the group overall I'm really proud of."

Carey, whose head coaching baptism came against Florida State in Tuesday night's loss in the Orange Bowl, has been busy assembling a new staff after several coaches followed former NIU coach Dave Doeren to North Carolina State.

Carey has announced the hiring of Thad Ward to become receivers coach. Brett Diersen was brought in to coach the defensive line.

The changes are a continuation of the evolution that began after a season-opening 18-17 loss to Iowa at Soldier Field.

"We're a lot different because we went on a 12-game winning streak after that," Carey said. "That's the first way we're different. We didn't know what we had going into that game. I'm not making excuses. Iowa beat us that day. Make no mistake about it.

"We didn't know who we were. We didn't know our identity, and that's no one's fault. We had a lot of new faces. How have we changed since then? We've learned about ourselves. The only way you learn about yourselves is to play a game. You can only practice so long."

The most important thing the coaching staff learned was that Lynch is one of the most dynamic dual-threat quarterbacks in the country. He became the first FBS quarterback to rush for at least 1,500 yards (1,815) and pass for 3,000 (3,138).

Carey and his staff will have to find replacements for senior wide receivers Martel Moore and Perez Ashford. Defensively, Sean Progar, Alan Baxter, Rashaan Melvin, Demetrius Stone and Tyrone Clark will be among those truly missed.

A positive byproduct of the Huskies' record-setting season should manifest itself in recruiting.

"The recruits call back," Carey said. "It's good. They're really fired up about it, all the guys we are talking to, and they should be. We're a BCS bowl team this year. If you're 18 (and) you're looking at some schools, I think we would be at the top of your list. How will it translate? I don't know. I'll let you know on signing day."